The London Society Podcast

The Mayor of London is one of the most important roles in the country - shaping how the city grows, lives and works. But is there another way to run London?In this episode of Talk About London, Peter Murray joins Leanne Tritton, The London Society and Dave Hill, OnLondon to argue that London’s future hinges on something often overlooked: the built environment.With a housing crisis deepening and 600,000 people working across the sector, Peter sets out a more pragmatic, less political approach - one that brings together developers, communities and City Hall to unlock growth. From street votes and estate ballots to reducing development risk and learning from places like King’s Cross, he makes the case for a more collaborative, confident London.If we want to build the homes and infrastructure the city needs, it starts with how we think about — and talk about — the places we shape every day.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Peter Murray's candidacy and his background in London's development 02:44 - Addressing London's housing shortage and affordability crisis 03:41 - Knowledge gaps among candidates regarding London's built environment 06:07 - The significance of the built environment sector in London's economy 07:28 - The potential for independent candidates to succeed in London politics 09:44 - Why politicians struggle to understand London's development challenges 10:10 - The legacy of Ken Livingstone and pragmatism in urban planning 13:28 - The importance of supporting small and local builders 15:08 - The role of community involvement and local engagement 16:33 - The importance of better communication and public trust in development 17:16 - How social media can support development advocacy 20:11 - The influence of political fragmentation and the potential for independent mayoral leadership 23:37 - The possibility of collaboration rather than confrontation with local authorities 24:32 - Reducing conflicts in development processes through dialogue 28:00 - The potential of consensus-building and cross-party collaboration 32:41 - Challenges of densifying suburban London and innovative solutions 33:11 - The role of street-level agreements in development approval 35:23 - How reducing risk for developers can boost London’s housing supply 36:52 - Transforming planning departments into enablers of development 37:19 - The importance of building a sense of London citizenship and unity 38:12 - Advocating for community-building campaigns using London’s assets 39:41 - The importance of promoting London’s identity through symbols like flags and initiatives 40:24 - Fostering a shared London identity to overcome divisions 41:20 - Combating hate and promoting inclusivity in London 42:46 - The role of civic society in shaping the city’s future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.